Lost & Found

"Alice, come on, we have to leave." "No, we should stay and tell him something." "No! This is weird. We have to leave. NOW!" Dark woods. Scream. No control. Cold water. . . . "No!" I yelled. I woke up on the back-seat of our car. My parents didn't even turn their heads. "Still those nightmares?" my mum asked. "Hopefully your roommate won't have problem with that." " I hope not. There's not much I can do about it." After my response, none of them continued with dialogue. So that was it. Our last drive together for some time, I didn't even no for how long. It was easier for them, harder for me. Driving through woods, my mind was running in all the directions I didn't wanted to see again. Not after what happened. Not after Dalia. When we finally arrived, I was kinda relieved. At least for a few minutes. Behind old metal gate, there was standing my new home. Or maybe prison, but still better then staying at my previous home. Boarding school for spoiled future leaders or for the lost ones. Shortly for those who needed some help. When our car finally stopped behind old manor house, there wasn't much to say. We got out of our car, I took my bags. Dad was just standing there, waiting. Mum hugged me. "Call us when you will need anything. You are still our daughter." I looked at my dad: "Am I?" Only after this question, he looked at me. "Of course." he said coldly. "It's just hard for us. Alpha and Luna need their time to grieve. For our position in pack, this is necessary. At least for some time." He was right. I knew all of that. I knew it was the best logical move. Nevertheless I still wanted to be part of my family. They could have send me anywhere, this was the better option,but it really didn't feel like it "Good luck!" he said and then...they left. ___________________________________________________ "It's really nice to have you here, Alicia." principal Cornell was trying to be nice, even when he clearly didn't had time. "I will take you to your room. Your roommate, Stella, will help you and show you these buildings. It's really not as big as it looks like. She has her classes as everyone, right now, but school ends in 30 minutes or so. So you have time to start with unpacking." he finally stopped in front of old wooden doors, not different from the rest. Small notice-board was empty, there was written only Stella's name. "Your textbooks are in your room. And this is your schedule and keys. Teachers know about your situation. You will have some time to catch up with your schoolwork." I took keys and paper, thanked and gladly walked inside. First floor, seventh door on right. Small room with two beds, two tables and two closets. Half of the room felt warm and nice. I could see a lot of photos hanging above the bed with some lights. Bed was hiding under big warm blanket in menthol green. white pillows with golden "Stella" looked really cozy. I didn't mind the messy clothes in front of the closet. It looked like someone's safe space. On the other hand, there was my side. Just empty and cold. And with my stuff, I really didn't think it would look much better. But I still tried. I took my clothes in my closet, put my black sheets on, arranged few books that I secretly took from library back home. And then there were my photos. I took just two of them. One with my family. My dad and mum, just standing and smiling, looking pretty proud and holding us. Me and my older brother. It was the day my brother got into university and me and Dalia were accepted at this school. It wasn't really a surprise. Dalia was Alpha's daughter. Stubborn as no one I ever met. If she wanted me to go, there was no other way to get her here. Second picture was with her. The two of us, hugging and smiling. She looked so beautiful. Her chocolate hair were falling in waives on her shoulders. And her brown eyes with sparkles. We looked so similar - only my hair were longer and straight. We were at some party, I don't even know which one it was. It was long time ago. Now it wasn't important anymore. Tears were again in my eyes. No. Not now. I quickly threw photo back to my bag and hid it in my closet. As I did it, doors slowly opened behind my back. Right on time. "Hey. You must be Alice. I've been waiting for you." and there she was. My new roommate. Smiley blond girl with big blue eyes hiding behind glasses. She offered me her hand and I shaked it quickly. She clearly needed that hand, she was holding five or six books and also some notes. "Hi, I guess you must be Stella then." "Yes, that's me." she smiled and put her books down on her table. "You look differently than I thought." "What do you mean?" "Nothing. Sorry...I just like to imagine stuff. What can I say? Typical bookworm." she smiled shyly. I sat at my bed. "So what what was I supposed to be like?" I could see she really wanted to tell: "Okay! I imagined you as this badass girl with purple long hair and maybe even tattoo or something. And since you started this year later I imagined that you didn't wanted to come here and you run with your boyfriend, but your parents found you and bring you here anyway." And just like that, she made me laugh. For the first time in such a long time. I almost felt guilty, but she was such an open person. I could see us as really good friends already. "Then you must be disappointed. No purple hair." I said. "And no tattoo." she replied. Actually I have one, but tattoos come with stories and I wasn't ready to share. "Can I ask you something?" I said more seriously. "Yes, of course." "What did they tell you? Or to anyone? About me." "Not much actually. No one really cared to be honest. There is always someone late. A lot of the richer kids arrived just few days ago. They were on holidays or partying before school began. So I guess no one will notice you. Why?" Perfect. I couldn't really ask for more. "No reason. Just wanted to know and get ready for tomorrow." "Don't worry. It's gonna be okay. I asked Mr. Cornell about your schedule and he told me that it's mostly the same. So I will be by your side and I will help you. You can borrow my notes or anything. And I can help you with unpacking." "Thank you, but I'm already done." she looked at my empty walls, no decoration pillows, no colours. Even now I was wearing black jeans and black T-shirt. My hair in messy bun. "Didn't wanted to bring too much stuff." "Okay." she said and thankfully let it be. After our conversation, Stella decided that I have to see at least some parts of building. She shown me where is kitchen, dining room, library. Then we also came around living room. I could here some boys watching TV and messing around. "I should probably warn you that I don't really have much friends. Not that they would be bad or anything, but kids around are mostly in small groups and I guess...I wasn't invited." I could see she felt awkward. "I would really like to be in your group. Group 107." As the number of our room. She smiled right away and we continued. After coming back to our room, she told me what I missed at school and I started with writing down some notes. It was nice work on something and listen to school gossip. It felt normal. Maybe it wasn't supposed to be as bad as I imagined.